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Post by Carnster on Jan 22, 2021 9:47:39 GMT
Click me!Interesting. He's normally wildly off when it comes to lower table predictions. Saying that, it's not difficult to predict the top half. Even my nine year old can get that right. Worryingly, he hasn't got us as relegation fodder, which he usually does, which might be the nail in our coffin this season. He has Catalans, Hull, and Hudds above us which seems a little strange but I think the mid-table scraps will be the hardest to predict to be fair.
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Post by johnh1 on Jan 22, 2021 10:13:08 GMT
Yes, very worrying that he hasn’t predicted that we will get relegated. Then again, thankfully, he hasn’t predicted that we will be champions either.
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Post by redunderthebed on Jan 22, 2021 10:14:00 GMT
I don’t too much notice of schoey!
My predictions for what it’s worth:
Wigan
Saints
Huddersfield
Warrington
Salford
Leeds
Hull
Catalans
Castleford
KR
Wakefield
Leigh
I think the top 2 are guaranteed, I’d be very surprised if Leigh don’t go straight back down. Pretty sure Wakey and KR will be Leigh’s main competitors for the drop
Places 3-8 though could be anyone’s in any order. Lots will depend on injuries and what impact covid has on the season. And I don’t think there will be many points separating them. Huddersfield look the most balanced team outside the top 2 to me and we know what watson and his back room team can do. I think we’re in with a good shout of top 5 and I wouldn’t be surprised if Warrington, Leeds or Hull finished 3rd or 8th!!
Really hard to call this year outside of the the top 2 and bottom 1
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Post by JJR on Jan 22, 2021 10:36:40 GMT
St Helens
Wigan
Warrington
Hull
Leeds
Salford
Castleford
Huddersfield
Catalan
Wakefield
Hull kr
Leigh
For ever the optimist
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Post by Carnster on Jan 22, 2021 11:13:12 GMT
The only guarantee every season is Warrington not winning it, Hull under performing, and Leeds being awful before scraping a play-off (or vice-versa)
Everything else is fair game.
For what it's worth, I think covid will still have a big say in the season with Catalans being directly effected by travel concerns. I think covid will ravage at least two sides, possibly seeing this already at Hudds. Saints will run away with it unless covid ravages them. Leigh will scrape through consigning Wakefield to relegation. Hull's woes will continue. Salford to get in the play-offs depending heavily on covid. Leeds will continue to underwhelm.
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Post by giasf on Jan 22, 2021 13:10:18 GMT
I'm not sure about giving out a table because of the havoc COVID will cause, so some broader thoughts:
Wigan to beat Saints in the GF, but Saints to win the League. Saints have the consistency, but Wigan have strengthened and their kids have had another year. I don't really think Lam is up to the task, but somehow Wigan have something in their DNA that makes them play above where they should IMO. Bateman will be huge for them.
Wire will finish 3rd by default (i.e. lack of competition).
KR will have a better season than FC, and COVID permitting will finish above them.
Catalans will struggle to win a game outside of France - possibly even finishing with a donut. They will also have their worst year at home in some time.
Leigh will go down - Wakey are rubbish, but they've got enough SL experience as a team to grind it out over Leigh.
I think we will take the 4th/5th spot in a fight with Hudds and Leeds.
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Post by russ on Jan 22, 2021 13:17:42 GMT
I read Schoey. That's all I have to say on that.
I think given the improvements in squads overall means all bets are off and nothing is guaranteed.
Leigh can only surprise everyone. And Hull can only become more consistent.
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Post by dentonred on Jan 22, 2021 15:22:31 GMT
Have gone for:
Wigan
Saints
Leeds
Wire
Hull
Castleford
Salford
Huddersfield
HKR
Catalans
Leigh
Wakefield
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Post by kreuzbergred on Jan 29, 2021 22:03:29 GMT
I'm not sure about giving out a table because of the havoc COVID will cause, so some broader thoughts: Wigan to beat Saints in the GF, but Saints to win the League. Saints have the consistency, but Wigan have strengthened and their kids have had another year. I don't really think Lam is up to the task, but somehow Wigan have something in their DNA that makes them play above where they should IMO. Bateman will be huge for them. Wire will finish 3rd by default (i.e. lack of competition). KR will have a better season than FC, and COVID permitting will finish above them. Catalans will struggle to win a game outside of France - possibly even finishing with a donut. They will also have their worst year at home in some time. Leigh will go down - Wakey are rubbish, but they've got enough SL experience as a team to grind it out over Leigh. I think we will take the 4th/5th spot in a fight with Hudds and Leeds. I'd agree with the Bit about Catalan Dragons. Especially with them Closing there borders from everywhere outside of the EU. www.walesonline.co.uk/news/world-news/france-close-borders-eu-countries-19732886 |
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Post by JJR on Jan 30, 2021 8:21:48 GMT
Looks as though it's going to be a testing season for Catalan. The owner had to pay big bucks for all the travelling last year, they had little income, didn't get v much Gov support, they've got rid of quite a few players and, I think, just recruited two..
Travel outside the U.K. seems unlikely for this year,looking at the the use of the vaccine, where we have vaccinated more than the rest of the EU put together. More border controls coming in again.
So looks like Catalan might be based here with therefore higher costs again, playing lots of games in succession with a v small and in parts, ageing. squad and with not many good potential recruits left in the market. Mid/end of season will be v hard for them, as it was for us at times last year.
Wonder if it's time for RL Europe to try and ramp up the French RL and them to play in France?
To me the way forward for RL is a proper European League, semi pro maybe at first, then possibly one or a couple of really good teams forming a European pro league.
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Post by Carnster on Jan 30, 2021 8:42:39 GMT
Looks as though it's going to be a testing season for Catalan. The owner had to pay big bucks for all the travelling last year, they had little income, didn't get v much Gov support, they've got rid of quite a few players and, I think, just recruited two.. Travel outside the U.K. seems unlikely for this year,looking at the the use of the vaccine, where we have vaccinated more than the rest of the EU put together. More border controls coming in again. So looks like Catalan might be based here with therefore higher costs again, playing lots of games in succession with a v small and in parts, ageing. squad and with not many good potential recruits left in the market. Mid/end of season will be v hard for them, as it was for us at times last year. Wonder if it's time for RL Europe to try and ramp up the French RL and them to play in France? To me the way forward for RL is a proper European League, semi pro maybe at first, then possibly one or a couple of really good teams forming a European pro league. European RL could have been a strong entity with UK clubs forming a backbone. Alas, Brexit means that it'll never happen. At least, not with the inclusion of UK clubs. Travel to and from UK too much of a problem under current circumstances and Covid wont be going away any time soon, even after vaccination roll-outs. I think the current world climate just puts a stop for the short term on expansion in any meaningful way. Might be an opportunity for the game in the UK to sort itself out. Then again, as a sport, we're not very good at seizing opportunities but seem excellent at grasping at straws... |
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Post by kreuzbergred on Jan 30, 2021 18:45:45 GMT
It Seems that Expansion in all RL countries as come to a Temporary Halt. With the exception of Pacifique Treize The RL Governing body in New Caledonia Are applying to join the Queensland Cup by 2023. Which is the same Competition that PNG Hunters play in Who tend to get big Crowds Home & Away . They seem to make money from it as well Even with a away game meaning a 3hr flight every time
It's a Shorter distance 2hrs from New Caledonia
And they'd get some money from the French Government as its a French Overseas territory. Not as extreme as Canada to the UK and France And of course they don't have Near artic winters in the Pacific.
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Post by redunderthebed on Feb 3, 2021 11:21:33 GMT
I see George Burgess has been released from Wigan as he needs surgery and long term recovery
It’s a shame for Burgess. Whilst he has gone downhill in the last few years, he’s been a good player up until then
Sadly I think it makes Wigan a stronger team without him, he was their weak link in the handful of games he played last year
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Post by bigkeev on Feb 3, 2021 11:50:22 GMT
I see George Burgess has been released from Wigan as he needs surgery and long term recovery It’s a shame for Burgess. Whilst he has gone downhill in the last few years, he’s been a good player up until then Sadly I think it makes Wigan a stronger team without him, he was their weak link in the handful of games he played last year I wonder if anybody would give me odds that in 12 months time Salford take a chance on Burgess to relaunch his career after a prolonged absence? We seem to be the experts at it these days. |
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Post by redunderthebed on Feb 3, 2021 17:51:59 GMT
I think Warrington might be favourites with the bookies...
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